NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has unveiled a Sh6 billion multi-pronged intervention plan aimed at cushioning livestock farmers and vulnerable households as drought conditions continue to worsen across large parts of the country.
Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said the response is being coordinated through a multi-agency committee led by the Deputy President, bringing together national government agencies, county governments, development partners and private sector players.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Mueke said the government expects to spend about Sh6 billion over the next three to five months on drought mitigation measures targeting the hardest-hit regions.
“Out of the Sh6 billion, the government is committing Sh4 billion, while the remaining Sh2 billion will be mobilised from private sector actors, development partners and friends of Kenya,” Mueke said.
Key interventions include cash transfers to affected households, provision of emergency hay to livestock farmers, insurance payouts and off-take programmes aimed at preventing distress losses of animals.
The PS said the measures are intended to stabilise livelihoods in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties, which continue to bear the brunt of the dry spell.
Mueke also highlighted progress in livestock health interventions, noting that more than nine million animals have been vaccinated nationwide to curb the spread of diseases as herders move in search of pasture and water.
According to recent assessments, Kenya is experiencing its most severe drought since 1981, with ASAL counties facing depleted water sources, poor pasture conditions and declining livestock productivity.
Despite the drought, Mueke maintained that the country has sufficient food supplies, attributing the situation to the government’s subsidised fertiliser programme, which boosted crop production in key farming regions.
He further encouraged livestock farmers to consider selling their animals early to take advantage of favourable market prices before conditions deteriorate further.
The government’s assurances come amid growing concern over rising malnutrition cases in Mandera County, one of the areas hardest hit by the drought.
Kenya Red Cross officials say prolonged dry conditions have severely disrupted livestock production, the main source of income and nutrition for most households in the county.
“As we speak, about 67,000 households have been impacted. The drought has severely affected nutritional status, with malnutrition cases rising due to lack of milk and loss of livelihoods,” said Mustafa Adan, the Mandera County Kenya Red Cross Coordinator.
Milk shortages have particularly affected young children, compounding the nutrition crisis in affected communities.
As the dry spell persists, humanitarian agencies warn that without sustained interventions, livelihoods and food security in drought-hit regions remain increasingly fragile.
